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From March 3 through 30, the Gene Siskel Film Center welcomes you to our 20th Annual Chicago European Union Film Festival. The largest festival in the nation showcasing films of the European Union nations, this anniversary festival presents Chicago premieres of 62 new feature films representing all 28 EU nations.

According to the tradition of our festival, the opening night is presided over by the nation in the presidency of the European Union, and this year it is Malta. On Friday, March 3, the evening is hosted by Pierre Clive Agius, Ambassador of the Republic of Malta, and by Herbert Quelle, Consul General of Germany, Chicago. Our opening night presentation is the delightful romantic comedy 20,000 REASONS, representing Malta’s newly emerging film industry.

Guests will be present for audience discussion at selected screenings. Ludmila Zeman and Linda Spaleny, producers of the newly completed restoration of Karel Zeman’s THE FABULOUS BARON MUNCHAUSEN, appear on March 4 and 5 with the U.S. premiere. On March 6, a panel discussion around the controversial work of former Italian Vogue editor Franca Sozzani follows a screening of FRANCA: CHAOS AND CREATION. Director Ritesh Batra (THE LUNCHBOX) is tentatively scheduled to appear on March 9 with his highly anticipated THE SENSE OF AN ENDING, starring Jim Broadbent and Charlotte Rampling.

Czech ingénue Jenovéfa Boková will discuss her role in FAMILY FILM following the March 10 and 11 screenings. Renowned German actress Barbara Sukowa is tentatively scheduled to appear with STEFAN ZWEIG: FAREWELL TO EUROPE on March 17, and director Maria Schrader will participate in discussion via Skype. Swedish director Amanda Kernell will tentatively be present via Skype at the March 25 screening of SAMI BLOOD. On March 25 and 27, Tatyana Aldag, the subject of the Lithuanian documentary MASTER AND TATYANA, will appear in person for Q&A.

The Gene Siskel Film Center thanks the consulates, the consuls general, and the cultural institutions of the European Union in Chicago, and their embassies in Washington, D.C., for their enthusiastic participation. We especially salute the efforts of all those who served as festival advisors.